Mark William Bruggom was born April 5, 1952 in Sheldon, Iowa to William Herman Bruggom and Francis Lavonne (Johnson) Bruggom. His early days were spent on the family farm near Archer, Iowa, where he attended elementary school. He attended Sheldon High School with his only sibling, Laurel Kay (Bruggom) Pruiksma. Upon graduation, Mark attended North Western College, in Orange City, Iowa, studying Education. After completion of his Bachelor's Degree, Mark continued on to Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan, earning a Master’s Degree in Christian Education. Immediately following his completion of Seminary, Mark traveled overseas to Taiwan, teaching English as a second language.
On September 2, 1978, Mark married Glenda Beth (VanDer Stoep) Bruggom in Sioux Center, Iowa. While working at KVDB radio station, as a news anchor and weatherman. In 1980, Mark and Glenda moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan where Mark held the position of Associate Editor for the Church Herald Magazine.
After moving back to Northwest Iowa, Mark and Glenda’s first child was born January 5, 1984, Megan Francesca (Bruggom) Jaques. Two years later on May 1, 1986, they welcomed twins into the world: Marcus Andrew Bruggom and Micah William Bruggom. Having graduated nursing school, Mark was now employed as a Registered Nurse at McKennan Hospital, which would eventually bring the whole family to Brandon, South Dakota where they would stay for the next 5 years.
In 1995, Mark would begin his dream job at KICD in Spencer, Iowa. Here he would hold the position of news anchor, while simultaneously earning a Certificate of Broadcast Meteorology from Mississippi State University. Mark remained at KICD until 2010, when he retired due to a Parkinson's diagnosis. Following his retirement from KICD, Mark continued following his passion for radio by writing a history of the radio station he loved, titled “KICD The First 75 Years”.
Mark believed his greatest achievements in life were his 3 children, his 5 grandchildren and the legacy he was able to leave behind at KICD with the Doppler Radar that was installed during his tenure. Mark’s love of words was evidenced not only by his devotion to reporting the news, but also in his love of puns. He had a heart for service, this manifested in the great care and pride he took reporting the weather, especially when it was severe.
Mark, while able, was also very active in the church, taking great joy in singing hymns with good friends, while also digging into theology with a desire for knowledge that was nearly unquenchable. No prayer request was too small or too large.
Mark was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents. He is survived by his wife, Glenda and his 3 children: Megan, Marcus and Micah. He also leaves behind 5 grandchildren: Keturah, Simon, Tobias, Judah (Jaques) and Cohen (Rittnhouse). Mark passed away peacefully the evening of March 11, 2021, at Spencer Hospital due to complications arising from Parkinson’s.
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